The Lightning team is coached by Scott Stucki.
The Newport Lightning Basketball Club's 11-and-under (fifth-grade boys) Green team went undefeated last weekend to capture the Junior HoopsStars Spring League Championship in Anaheim.
The Lightning beat South El Monte Blaze and Pac Rim to capture the title.
Jordan Pakzad, Jake Pearson, Kade Johnson, Brennan Grunewald, Max Nanula, Zach Blaine and Chase Grippo all played stellar defense and hit big shots throughout the weekend.
The Lightning team is coached by Jeff Beeler.
Mariners captures first Daily Pilot Cup title
The Mariners girls' third- and fourth-grade sliver team captured a Daily Pilot Cup title for the first time in school history.
Mariners battled against Harbor View in the final. Harbor View was up, 1-0, in the first half, but the Mariner girls battled back. Third-grader Ava Wagoner, who lead the team with eight goals in the tournament, scored the equalizer to send the game into a penalty-kick shootout.
Before the match started Coach Preston Kenny had the girls practicing penalty shots, which paid off. Ella Kenny, Holly Nance , Kate LaGrandeur and Ava Wagoner all scored with ease.
Harbor View made its goals as well. They were all tied up 4-4 and with the pressure on, Kili Skibby hit her shot over the goalie's outstretched arms, to go up, 5-4. Mariners goalkeeper Kaela Whelan, who was outstanding throughout the tournament, blocked Harbor View's final shot for the dramatic win.
